‘One Small Voice’ concert closes 2010-11 season

Western Plains Children’s Choirs present concert

May 5, 2011

There's a significant Disney presence to this weekend's Western Plains Children's Choirs concert.

The group closes out its 2010-11 season with its Spring Concert Sunday in the Ann Nicole Nelson Hall at Minot State University.

"We have the large group numbers from our Disney Extravaganza," said director Rebecca Petrik. "That means selections from 'Beauty and the Beast,' 'Mary Poppins,' 'The Lion King' and 'The Little Mermaid.' Each of our groups also has some other numbers (as well)."

Article Photos

Submitted Photo - - Members of the Western Plains Children’s Choir, grades five through seven, gathered recently in Oak Park for a photo. The group presents its Spring Concert Sunday at 7 p.m. in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

The Western Plains Children's Choir is divided into age groups, the younger children under Petrik, the older under Laurel Livingston.

The Junior Choir is accompanied by Olivia Christianson, and will be singing "Three Quotes by Mark Twain: The Silent Fool, Telling the Truth and My Dear Mother."

"This is a really cute piece for the third- and fourth-graders," said Petrik.

For the fifth-, sixth- and seventh-graders who make up the Children's Choir, Petrik is directing them in "When I Close my Eyes" by Jim Papoulis.

"He interviewed a lot of children about their hopes for tomorrow and put them into this song," Petrik said. "We also have a cellist playing with us on it, Jonathan Clark, as well as our regular accompanist Laurie Verbitsky."

The Youth Choir of eighth-, ninth- and 10th-graders, with Lucas Brown accompanying, will present "Ahrirang" from Korea, as well as the traditional Zambian song "Bonse Aba." The former title translates as "beautiful lover who will be missed," and the latter "all who sing have the right to be called the children of God."

The massed choirs will close with the group's traditional "One Small Voice," featuring the graduating singers.